TUSKEGEE, Ala. (March 19, 2013) —Tuskegee University received a $250,000 gift Monday during the kick-off luncheon for the 18th Annual Tuskegee University Business & Engineering Conference. The donation from Chevron Corp. will go toward student scholarships and education programs such as FASTREC or Freshman Accelerated Start- up and Training for Retention in Engineering Curricula, an intensive summer program for high school graduates interested in engineering careers.

“Chevron’s donation is very broadly applied to different areas. But, primarily, they are very interested in student activities and student functions, ”said Roy Nunn, Tuskegee’s director of corporate relations. “They are very interested in putting their money where it supports students and student organizations.”

Twanna Hardy , Chevron’s senior diversity specialist said Tuskegee is among the top engineering schools and the donation was an important investment in their employee pipeline.

“We have always recruited the top students from Tuskegee, now we are trying to grow the relationship,” Hardy said.

Stronger ties, more opportunities

January 2012, Chevron and the university signed an agreement meant to promote money-saving energy sustainability as well as increase research opportunities for students and faculty, and establish a recruitment pipeline for graduates to become Chevron interns or employees.

“I see a very a productive partnership and collaboration emerging between Chevron and the university,” Luther Williams, provost and executive vice president, said after the check presentation.

After greetings from Williams, Telisa Toliver, a Tuskegee alum and senior vice president for Chevron Pipe Line Co., delivered the keynote address for the event. During her remarks, Toliver said the opportunities for young people are tremendous in business and industry as Baby Boomers leave the workforce. She urged the students to be innovative and creative to help solve problems and generate opportunities.

“Utilize your creativity to provide new solutions to economic or commercial problems in your company of choice, ” Toliver said. “Use your creativity to provide new ideas for getting access to capital to grow your own business. …We must take our place as leaders.”